There is a song I hear when I was working for a company in Lagos. It echoed from a person with a deformity but had a unique ability to play the trumpet and flute.
He used the trumpet to play a Christian song “what a friend we have in Jesus; all our sins and grief to bear…precious savior still our refuge take it to the lord in prayer”, have we a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows bear…all because we do not carry everything to the lord in prayer.
As we see the life of Rehoboam and Jeroboam today. God had previously told Solomon he would tear down his kingdom after his passing. In this chapter, we see the fulfillment of this and view this story from when Israel consisted of 12 tribes and Rehoboam went to Shechem for all Israel to make him king of Israel. However, when Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this Nebat heard of this, he returned to Israel. Rehoboam on the other hand, had to consult “the elderly” on removing the burdens placed on the poor. Rehoboam did not hearken to his young friends. This caused the Israelites to disperse under his leadership except Judah.
“What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance with the son of Jesse – to your tent o Israel. Look to your own house. So, Rehoboam reigned over the city of Judah. Rehoboam sent Adoram who was his taskmaster over to forced labor and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. Hence, Rehoboam turned to mount his chariot to flee Jerusalem.
LESSONS
When a leader in a household, nation subjects its citizen to forced labor and calamity strikes guess who flees first? such was the case with Rehoboam.
Jesus says in Matthew 23:4-5
New King James Version
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
Rehoboams decision split Israel and Judah into two nations *as God told Solomon that upon his death his empire would split*. Due to this, Rehoboam assembled horses from Judah & the tribe of Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel, so he’d restore his father’s kingdom. But the lord sent prophets to Rehoboam that he should not go up to fight against his people.
However, Jeroboam now the king of Israel feared that Rehoboam would draw the people back to God.
A seemingly harsh decision would lead people astray to serve other gods for help. Due to the heavy yoke Rehoboam wanted to place on all of Yisrael, leading people to search for solution from any other means (in search for a new ruler or king).
when sufferings of people increase, when heavy burdens are bound on others that we ourselves cannot carry. we create a leadership that splits and irrevocably causes idolatry. (Whether burdens, yokes, laws as with Moses and the calf) once humans can’t keep it, carry it causes a divide. This is why Jesus as a leader carried a heavier cross than the church and says take of my yoke upon you and learn for me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mattthew 11:29). Jesus went through anguish, sweating blood and died for our soul. we couldn’t fulfil the law as when heavy yokes are placed on man; the scriptures say the law caused man to sin more Romans 5:20. However, Jesus teaches us to learn from him through humility so we can rest on him. Jesus took on our yokes (laws, burden we couldn’t fulfil) so we can find rest in him.
Take out.
In any given nation where subjugation leads to slavery. As with Solomon who says there is a time when someone lords over another to their own hurt Ecclesiastes 8:9. And Jesus says those who must lead must serve Mark 10:43. we create a division as rehoboam did Israel and Judah.
Daniels Dream – Daniel 4
Peace be multiplied to us as we begin this book review. Dominion to Yahua whose kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting.
In this chapter, Daniel saw Nebuchadnezzars kingdom chopped off into iron and bronze not clay this time. Daniel 4: 15.
Brass as you know typifies bronze and the iron period the happenings of chapter 4 would take place. In this time frame it stated that the mind of Nebuchadnezzar would change from a man’s mind to that of a beast over a 7-time period.
Hence, the most notable change in the time frame of Nebuchadnezzar will be during Brass – Iron interchange. In the figure described by Daniel, after the time of the brass, the iron mixed with clay (grass – amid the fields) represents a time frame of 7 period of which the heart of his (Nebuchadnezzar empire) will change from a man’s heart to that of a beast, Ushering the beast system.
This illustration of the first ruler where his thought his strength brought him victory’s – fixed with the bronze and iron age of his kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar, initial kingdom was Gods kingdom at the time, until he boasted against God that he built Babylon (time period of the sand (grass) + iron + bronze) then in Daniel 4: 31, we see Gods kingdom removed from him and his heart change. Also, boastful speaking is associated with the anti-Christ (so the beast he became during this period).
In this period, Daniel goes on to say it his empire (Clay and Iron) will be driven from among men and his dwelling will be made with the beast of the field. His empire would be made to eat the grass like an ox and 7 periods would Passover until he realizes that the most high rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
Rules, kingdom, will are all present in Matthew 6:10-15, Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, and thy WILL be done. In Nebuchadnezzars prayer we see a similar ” I lift up my eyes (willingly) to the heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the most high, and I praise and honor him who lives forever, for your dominion oh Lord is an everlasting dominion, and your kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4: 34.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:34-37 NIV – At the end of that time, I, – Bible Gateway
How the Kingdom of God would come
Luke 17, Gods physical kingdom and his coming kingdom: A time of Noah likewise that of Lots.
Luke 17 begins with manners of ways the last days characteristics may be: Offence, it tells us how to deal with them. By forgiving because Christ has forgiven us. Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything, you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
We are unworthy servants who choose to do Gods duty because we thank God, we can do what he told us to do so the kingdom of God will come nigh unto you. This began the pharisees question on when the kingdom of Yahua should come.
20 and Jesus answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
The days of Noah typified in Luke 17:26-27, depicts a day of great flooding that would destroy the earth. Although, God had promised that he would not destroy the earth again, however the days of Noah was known with the water element and flooding to destroy the earth. The scriptures go on to say why the DAYS OF THE SON OF MAN would be likened to that of Noah it says, and I quote:
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:26-28 KJV – And as it was in the days of Noe, so – Bible Gateway
So, we have a before Christ time frame and an after Christ time frame. Typically, this Generation is the Generation of Christ, the Generation of Salvation through Christ Jesus; and he further illustrates it with the 10 lepers where only the foreigner rejoices after 9 were saved. It is the time of the Gentiles, that would see the flooding where they would eat, drink had many wives and be given in marriage…
The bible then goes on to say in the next verse that the time of lot and Noah are alike except in the time of lot more things would happen like eating, drinking, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.
They key difference is in Noah’s days i.e., the days of the son of man they married and had many wives however in the days of lot i.e., the days when the son of man is revealed they were more who bought sold more and built in these times. While it seems plausible that these are my ramblings but there is a definite distinction between the days of the son of man (Where he dwells in us) and the days when the son of man is revealed (His 2nd coming).
His first coming reveals the happenings in the times of the son of man (Gentiles); Noah while the time of lots was a time where Gold and goods where traded. Typifying the difference in times. This two time show the sequence of salvation: baptism with water and the word and baptism with fire (the holyspirit). A similar view with 1 kings 18: 38
The fire consumed the sacrifice, the wood (the cross), stone (Jesus, the church (the stone the builders rejected), (living stone)), and dust (dust we come and return – flesh) and it licked up the water in the bench – I Kings 18:33-38
1 Kings 18 KJV – And it came to pass after many days, – Bible Gateway
We see water is first poured before fire consumed the sacrifice and it rained. Similarly, Noah’s period came first with rain -new beginning for creation (Days when the Church is revealed, the body of Christ) and the Lots (Abrahamic) when Gods people got out (Abraham, lot as in the Church) before fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all will be when the sun of man is revealed.
Matthew 24:24, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 8. The Church in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:1-9) | Bible.org
Where our faith leads to……
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), is a common verse that we recite. However, the will to work and do his good pleasure comes from Yahushua. Philippians 2:13.
we live in an era where ENERGY and believe in yourself is interchangeably used with faith. However, faith is to rest our strength in what Jesus has done. Isaiah 30:15 “
For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not”.
since, quietness and confidence is strength then the strength of our salvation is made perfect in our weakness. it is Jesus who is the perfect representation of my strength that enables us to overcome our fears (weakness) through him.
Faith is the evidence of things not seen (Jesus) works at the cross; (We buy stuffs online we don’t, what’s the assurance we will get it without faults = Faith) we have not yet seen. The key word to note here is Evidence of things not seen – sth. bears nwithin us) that we believe what we ask for even still we are yet to see it and that witness is the spirit of God given to us by Jesus; that enables us build courage in his word that what he said he would do, he has already done at the cross of calvary,
it’s quite easy to say put off the wrong words placed over our lives but those are our weakness we must acknowledge in order to set our eyes on him, who is perfect to overcome. it is written that it’s not that we are sufficient of ourselves, our sufficiency is from God. So, when I can’t go on days like these, I look to the one who is perfect (Yahusha), sufficient to lift us up; when we set our eyes to him who is able save and rescue us from our weakness (unbelief, faithless) in yahusha name.
2 Kings 5: 1-8:15
Naman was a Syrian, who had leprosy. He went to Israel seeking a cure and stopped at Elisha’s house. However, what Elisha commanded him was new. He told him to go and wash himself in the jordan river seven times.
The outcome was his flesh shall come again (he would be clean). As I opened this scripture in the morning, I had opened Psalm 50 simultaneously for my devotional. I couldn’t understand why previously God implored that we do not wear out ourselves to be rich Proverb 23:4. A timely adage for me closing from work on Friday evening.
Seeing as I had a lot on my mind from ruminating these scriptures, As I wondered why Psalm 50: 8 – 15, God made it clear to me he needed my sacrifice of thanks offering and not my tithes or offerings. I still couldn’t make sense of this as I’d had a torrid week and worse weekend (family + personal health). As I arrived church on Sunday, twas the last place I wanted to be at because I was both tasking my physical and mental state. Then I heard the preacher saying stop your complaint and I realize I had complained to God that he wasn’t listening to my heart desire; he was only giving me commands to do… He said something which struck me that God doesn’t reject any praise but he rejects some prayer if they aren’t according to his will and if we ask amiss. What he brought out was that before Jesus turned lack to plentiful (5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes to feed 5,000) he gave thanks to God and blessed the bread.
In some moments, we don’t always feel grateful to God. Until we ruminate on his goodness in my life then we realize his mercy, as I started out the month of April God promised he will be with me assuredly, so when I see Job 1 on the 2nd of April, I smile. it is hard being someone who complains about the failure of men but has more failure of men as well. when I get into Gods presence and I cant make sense ( my closet), I can always run into his presence (his house).
If God being addicted to any thing we like can give us joy, how much more being in the presence of your maker. Luke 17:15-19 was the defining scripture that linked the two scripture I opened this morning (1 kings 5:1-8:15) and Psalm 50; showed the cleansing (Naaman) and the need for worship ( Psalm 50 vs 14) – Luke 17: 16, he threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked him – he was a Samaritan.
We threw ourselves at Yahushua’s feet to ask for for forgiveness and worship at his feet, Thank you God for loving me. 1 Cor 10:10, Number 21: 1-6, Psalm 69 vs 10, Colossian 4 vs 2, With Prayer and Thanksgiving make your request known to God. Acts 16:25, Jonah 2 vs 9, Psalm 30 vs 12, Exodus 3: 9.
Jonathan, Jon, John Nathan……..God has given indeed his Son.
The variant form of John suggests the meaning of Jonathan is John meaning God has given. From 1 Samuel 18, it tells of Jonathan who loved David as his own Soul. The bible says Jonathan soul was knit with David and he loved David as his own soul. Speaks of a devotion OR love than we could not explain.
We have devotion/ dedication to things, events but rarely to God. The picture of Jonathan paints an avid picture of God’s love for us. Invariably, Jonathan died in the process of trying to save David. There is a devotion we have towards God that fails but the devotion God has toward us cost us his son (It doesn’t fail).
The first commandment from the new covenant, is ye shall love the lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind (Matthew 22:38). It is sufficed that we say that Jonathan (meaning God has given) show us a picture of God’s love to us (David, the Church, Israel). It is said that Jonathan in verse 3 made a covenant with David as he loved him as his own flesh. Isn’t this the picture of the savior’s love for us?
He stripped himself of his divinity, he was stripped off his garment (Matt 27: 28-30) to bear our sin. So, we liken 1 Samuel 18 where Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David with his armor including his sword and his bow and his belt, So, David went wherever Saul sent him and prospered.
In so many ways, Jesus being stripped of his divinity (glory) to die for man, to return Authority back to the believer so we can win battles and prosper in his name is a typification of Jonathan towards David.
Indeed, has indeed given us his best Armour his love for us through his son. There may be inexplicable times we can question God’s love for us but if we see the love Jonathan had for David is such as the Lord Yahusha has for us.